Caltrain to Reduce Horn Noise Beginning September 13, 2017

Beginning Wednesday, Sept. 13, commuters, residents and people working near several Caltrain stations may notice a reduction in horn noise coming from the trains passing through their neighborhoods.

In an effort to reduce noise pollution and be a good neighbor, Caltrain engineers no longer need to continuously sound their horns when passing through certain stations, based on its configuration. For example, trains traveling through the San Bruno, Belmont and San Carlos stations would only need to sound one short horn blast as it approaches because these stations have tracks and platforms that are separated from street level.

The reduction in horn noise will not compromise the safety standards set by the Federal Railroad Administration and the California Public Utilities Commission. Engineers will continue to blow their horn at stations that have pedestrian crossings. If engineers see a potential safety hazard near or around the tracks, they will continue to sound the horn at their discretion.

Visual message signs and audio announcements will advise passengers that trains are approaching at the following stations: 22nd Street, Bayshore, South San Francisco, San Bruno, Millbrae, Belmont, San Carlos, California Avenue, San Antonio, Lawrence and Santa Clara.

About Caltrain: Owned and operated by the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, Caltrain provides commuter rail service from San Francisco to San Jose, with limited commute service to Gilroy. Caltrain enjoyed more than five years of consecutive monthly ridership increases, surpassing more than 65,000 average weekday riders. While the Joint Powers Board assumed operating responsibilities for the service in 1992, the railroad will celebrate 150 years of continuous passenger service in 2014. Planning for the next 150 years of Peninsula rail service, Caltrain is on pace to electrify the corridor by 2019, reducing diesel emissions by 84 percent and adding more service to more stations.